It Happened This Week in 1994

Looking back at February 19th, 1994.

The current leaders of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South are Farnborough, and back in 1993/94, the Southern League Premier Division welcomed back the Hampshire club following a brief return to the Football Conference (National League as is today).

Their tenure back was only to last one season again as they again won the title, albeit with the fewest points since 1990/91 and having lost ten games.

And on February 19th, 1994, Farnborough were held to a 2-2 draw at their Cherrywood Road ground by lowly Cambridge City.

Chris Boothe bagged both for Boro, while Laurie Ryan and Mark Scott earned a surprise point for Steve Fallon`s side.

Cheltenham Town under former Bristol Rovers stalwart Lindsay Parsons, finished runners-up and on the same day, beat mid-table Sittingbourne 3-1 at Central Park with Bob Bloomer, Matt Lovell and Jason Eaton on target, Dave Arter replying.

Halesowen Town ended up a point behind the Robins in third at the end of the season, and on February 19th shared the points in a 2-2 draw with Burton Albion at The Grove.

The Brewers, managed by John Barton, scored through Karl Payne and Jason Rhodes, with a Paul Joinson brace saving the Yeltz from a home defeat.

Only two points separated Cheltenham from fifth-placed Crawley Town at the end, with Atherstone United surprising many by finishing fourth.

The Adders, under Mickey Brookes, had finished 14th and 15th respectively the two previous seasons but enjoyed a fine 1993/94 and on the day, hammered Bashley, who ended up being relegated, 4-0 at Sheepy Road.

Robbie Ellison scored twice for the Adders, Keith Russell converted a penalty and Micky Thurman scored the other.

February 19th saw Crawley win 2-1 at Dorchester Town, who just avoided the drop.

Former Wimbledon striker Paul Fishenden and Steve Payne were the Reds` scorers, with current Poole Town manager Tommy Killick netting the Magpies` reply.

Solihull Borough, the forerunner to the current Solihull Moors with the merger with Moor Green, who were relegated in 93/94, only finished just above the relegation zone, but on February 19th, Boro beat Worcester City 4-0 at St George`s Lane with Kim Green bagging a brace, well-known non-League striker Kim Casey and Andy Canning all finding the net.

Worcester finished just a point ahead of Solihull in 15th in the end, while a place and three points ahead of them were Gresley Rovers, managed by Steve Dolby.

But on February 19th, the Moatmen suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Hednesford Town, who ended up in 13th spot, a point above Gresley.

Popular striker Mark Hallam and winger Tyrone Street were the Pitmen scorers.

Finishing a point above Hednesford in 93/94 were Hastings Town, but they too lost on the day, beaten 1-0 by relegated Moor Green.

Gloucester City under John Murphy finished tenth in the end and on February 19th were beaten 1-0 at Meadow Park by Murphy`s former team Trowbridge Town, who ended up in a very respectable seventh place.

Defender Toby Jackson scored the only goal of the game to give former Yeovil Town boss Steve Rutter victory.

Corby Town, managed jointly by ex-Peterborough United and Ireland defender Gerry McElhinney and former Nottingham Forest man Bryn Gunn, ended up in ninth that season but were beaten 2-1 at relegated Waterlooville on the day, with Steve Devine netting the Steelmen`s consolation.